Explore the vast array of music, architecture, and art of Kyrgyzstan, interact with the local people, taste authentic food, and gain unique memories you will never forget when you visit this country less traveled!

Highlights for the Trip Include: 

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Our Kyrgyz IVLP group's topic was "Combating Corruption in Law Enforcement", so IVCLA arranged their meetings in an effort to help them achieve their goal of a democratic police reform in Kyrgyzstan. Their first appointment was with the Executive Director of the Josephson Institute, Jeff McMurdy, who explained the institute's dedication to improving the ethical quality of society by offering certified training courses and materials that teach policing professionals ethics fundamentals. At a meeting with the Pasadena Star News, the group learned how local publications have the leverage to hold law enforcement officials accountable by allowing the public to monitor injustices, in turn improving not only the quality of community life but restoring trust between citizens and their protectors. In Downtown LA, the group visited the District Attorney's Public Integrity Division, which ensures that public and appointed officials, and their subordinates, fulfill their legally mandated duties. The investigation and prosecution of criminal misconduct at all levels of public service is essential in increasing the public's level of confidence in its elected and appointed officials.

No country is perfect when it comes to community-law enforcement relations. Some communities feel targeted, while police officers feel unappreciated and overshadowed by antagonizing headlines. The hot-button debate surrounding law enforcement and civilian deaths serves as a reminder that ongoing community engagement is critical to ensuring that police departments are democratically accountable institutions. Reform is needed in both Ferguson and Bishkek.

Later, they met with Brian Buchner, current president of the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE), which is the nation's most prominent police oversight organization. There, they learned about best practices at the national and local levels, and the importance of building bridges between police and civilians. The delegation also met with several civil rights attorneys from the Coalition for Increased Civilian Oversight of Pasadena Police (CICOPP) to discuss the organization's advocacy efforts and other activities in support of creating a civilian police oversight board in the City of Pasadena. Finally, an appointment at the Sheriff of Los Angeles County was also made to cast light on the law enforcement's perspective. Let's not forget that the reason police officers risk their lives and civilians take to the streets in protest is the same: for pursuit of justice in civil society.

Kyrgyz Visitors with Brian Buchner at Los Angeles City Hall